AFRICAN GROUP STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR SAMBA SANE AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING ON THE DRAFT RESOLUTION A/78/L.5

  Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Samba Sane

Permanent Representative of Guinea-Bissau to the United Nations & Chair of the African Group for the month of October

28th October 2025

Madame President

Distinguished Delegate

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have the honour to deliver the following remarks on behalf of the African Group on the agenda item entitled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”.

This matter continues to be of great importance and concern to the African Group, and indeed to Africa as a whole. For the sixteenth time, our Heads of State and Government, at the thirty-eighth ordinary session of the African Union Assembly, held in February 2025, reiterated their position calling for the lifting of sanctions on Cuba’s people and Government. The adopted document reaffirms the historic position of the African continent in support of the sovereignty of the island and demands an immediate end to a policy that has caused incalculable damage to the Cuban people.

The African Union's commitment to the defence of Cuba is based on the historical ties of solidarity and cooperation that bind the island to the African continent. In multiple international forums, African states have advocated for the end of the blockade and have recognized Cuba's contribution in key sectors such as health, education and decolonization.  

The African Group reiterates its position that the illegal sanctions, particularly the implementation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, are the main obstacles to Cuba’s realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Madame President

We see also as a matter of severe concern the unjust inclusion of Cuba by the United States in the list of countries that allegedly sponsor terrorism, which has further exacerbated the financial restrictions to Cuba emanating from the embargo. The inclusion of Cuba in this list has nothing to do with the longstanding cooperation that the Cuban Government has had for decades with Africa. Therefore, we call for the removal of Cuba from this list.

Africa has consistently been concerned about Cuba’s dilemma because of the importance it attaches to the achievement of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda. As a responsible member of the international community, Cuba has made numerous positive contributions over the decades to Africa and many other States and peoples all over the world.

The adoption of the annual draft resolution on ending Cuba’s blockade by the United States has for 33 years now, represented a call to all countries. The African Group will continue to reaffirm its full support for that draft resolution and further wishes to express its regret about the setback in the bilateral relations between Cuba and the United States.

Madame President

We call on the United States administration to work towards restoring positive relations and lifting that long-standing blockade imposed on the people and the Government of Cuba. The African Group wishes to reiterate that it will remain firm in its principled position of total solidarity with Cuba, its people and its Government, while calling for an immediate end to that economic, commercial and financial blockade.

I thank you for your kind attention